The Pokémon The game is set in a war-torn hegemony split into 17 states. The player will assume the role of a miliary leader of the Hajime state and devise strategies against Nobunaga and other warriors. Each commander is linked to a partner Pokémon during battles.

Pokémon President Tsunekazu Ishihara and Tecmo KOEI President Yoichi Erikawa explained the genesis of the game by first noting that Ishihara is a big Nobunaga's Ambition fan; he has been playing the games since the first one came out for the NEC PC-8801 Mk II computer in 1983. Likewise, Erikawa is a big Pokémon fan, and they talked about how their two companies could collaborate. They discussed different franchises, including Tecmo KOEI's Musou, for the crossover before settling on Nobunaga's Ambition. The project began in earnest three years ago.

Producer Hisashi Koinuma said that the main story episode will take about 20 hours to complete, but then there are many freeform scenarios for about 200 hours of gameplay. While the team could not put all of the Pokémon in the game, it does have over 200 of them.

The game will ship in Japan on March 17 for 5,800 yen (about US$76). The limited first edition bonuses include a "Nobunaga's Black Rayquaza" card for the Pokémon: Black & White card game. On the same day that the game ships, Pokémon Center and retailers nationwide will offer figures, mobile phone straps, handkerchiefs, mini cushions, and tumblers.